Newcomer challenges entrenched incumbent

Jake Scheiner runs against Leg. William Gaylor for newly-redrawn 14th District

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

It may be his first attempt at public office, but Jake Scheiner isn’t a typical political neophyte.

Candidates throughout Nassau County were announced in late April, including county and town seats. Scheiner, a Democrat, is running against Republican incumbent C. William Gaylor III for the 14th Legislative District seat.

The newly-redrawn 14th Legislative District is comprised of Malverne, West Hempstead, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, and Lakeview, and small portions of Valley Stream and Oceanside.

Gaylor, of Lynbrook, was elected to the seat in 2015 with a significant 63 percent of the vote, and reelected in 2019.

Despite the uphill battle against a popular incumbent, Scheiner, 28, said his experience in government makes him a viable candidate.

“I’m not like a typical first-time candidate,” Scheiner said. “I have a pretty strong background in government.”

Scheiner worked for former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi and served as Suozzi’s campaign manager in 2018. Scheiner is a former director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and currently vice president of Simon Paston & Sons Agency, a Lynbrook insurance company.

“Everything I’ve done in my career has led me to this moment,” Scheiner said.

In a statement to the Herald, Gaylor said he will continue his years-long work fighting for families and cutting taxes.